Living In UAE

Annoyed with SMS ads? Here’s how you can block them in the UAE

Etisalat, du users can block all promotional SMS by sending a text message

Published: April 26, 2021 17:22 Huda Tabrez, Living in UAE Editor

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If you are unable to keep track of important text messages from your hospital or bank because the inbox has been flooded with ads, there is an easy way to put a stop to SMS ads. — Pesky SMS ads bothering you? Opt out of the service. Image Credit: Vijith Pulikkal/Gulf News

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Earlier this year, the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) launched an initiative that allows mobile phone users in the UAE to block spam messages by sending a text message. — The announcement was made in January this year. Read here: gulfnews.com/1.1610819428655 Image Credit: Pexels

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Earlier this year, the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) launched an initiative that allows mobile phone users in the UAE to block spam messages by sending a text message. — The announcement was made in January this year. Read here: gulfnews.com/1.1610819428655 Image Credit: Pexels

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According to TDRA, you simply need to send a message ‘BALL’ to 7726. Etisalat and du, network operators will subsequently block any advertising texts that start with “AD”. — Simply SMS BALL – for Block All – to 7726. Image Credit: Shutterstock

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Opt out of specific ads While the option to opt out of all promotional messages is convenient, you may still wish to receive advertisements from certain brands and establishments. — But I still want to get ads from some companies … Image Credit: Vijith Pulikkal/Gulf News

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Opt out of specific ads While the option to opt out of all promotional messages is convenient, you may still wish to receive advertisements from certain brands and establishments. — But I still want to get ads from some companies … Image Credit: Vijith Pulikkal/Gulf News

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At the end of an SMS ad, you may see messages like ‘To stop SMS promotions SMS OUT to 4xx3’ or shorter, more cryptic messages like ‘DND 5xx1’ or ‘OPTOUT 7xx6’ at the end of a message. — Whenever a company sends you an ad, the end of the SMS contains instructions on how to opt out of the service. Image Credit: Shutterstock

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Here, the advertiser is asking you to message the following text – DND – which may be short for ‘Do not disturb’, to the number mentioned right after it. — Follow the instructions to opt out of the service. Image Credit: Pexels

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What about my banking updates? TDRA also clarified that sending the message ‘BALL’ to 7726 will not block transaction updates or those that do not contain the code ‘AD’. — Messages from your child’s school or your bank will not be blocked, as they would not come under the category of ads. Image Credit: Shutterstock

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